Emergency Preparedness Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Salary: $157,783.54 - $191,813.38 Annually

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 26-CK-26-00022

Location: CA 95134-1927, CA

Department: System Safety & Security Admin.

Division: System Safety & Security

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is seeking an experienced Emergency Preparedness Manager to lead the planning, mitigation, and response to all hazards, emergencies, significant events, and disasters affecting the agency and the communities it serves.

Under general direction, this role oversees VTA’s Emergency Management program, including staffing, policies, and procedures in compliance with federal, state, and local requirements. The candidate serves as a key advisor to executive leadership and partners across the organization and with external agencies to strengthen organizational resilience, support initiatives such as EOC development, continuity of operations planning, hazard mitigation, and large‑scale event coordination, and ensure effective response and recovery efforts.

• Oversee VTA’s Emergency Management activities, including staffing, policies, and procedures in accordance with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Plan, develop, implement, and monitor emergency management initiatives, goals, and objectives, and provide expertise to executive staff on related matters.
• Represent the agency to regulatory and government agencies, community groups, external partners, and the public to ensure effective communication and collaboration in emergency management activities.
• Oversee the operation of the VTA Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and facilitate coordination with other agencies and entities for effective emergency response and recovery.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive emergency preparedness education program for staff, contractors, and the agency community.
• Stay current on technological advancements in the field to ensure effective integration of technology in emergency management activities.
• Participate in community events to increase awareness of emergency preparedness and the role of emergency management.
• Oversee research and procurement of Emergency Management and Department of Homeland Security-related grants to improve VTA’s readiness posture and maximize the agency’s preparedness and response capabilities.
• Lead VTA’s emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts, coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies such as the California Office of Emergency Management, FEMA, and municipal emergency management agencies.
• Facilitate collaboration among agency departments and external partners to develop and implement agency-wide emergency planning and preparedness initiatives, including hazard analyses, protection planning for critical infrastructure, emergency alerting and notification, and drills and exercises.
• Engage with public and private disaster resources in the County of Santa Clara and surrounding cities to assess needs and create disaster response elements.
• Assess VTA’s emergency management capabilities and coordinate with the County of Santa Clara, City of San Jose, and emergency stakeholders.
• Implement NIMS and SEMS principles and procedures in incident response situations and the Enterprise Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) through Standard Operating Procedures.
• Prepare and submit progress reports as required; ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including those under the Stafford Act.
• Establish and maintain a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) to re‑establish and sustain government agency functions in emergency or disaster incidents.
• Perform related duties as required.

Knowledge of:

• Regulations governing homeland security preparedness and emergency preparedness, including Stafford Act, FEMA Public Assistance Guides, Office of Management & Budget Circulars, FTA-MAP21, and FEMA National Framework.
• Federal emergency management policies and concepts, including Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) 40 and Federal Continuity Directives (FCDs) 1 and 2.
• Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP), mass notifications for law enforcement, service, and emergency agencies.
• Principles and practices of emergency management, including EOC operations, Incident Command, first responder procedures, continuity of operations, and security measures.
• Principles and practices of public transportation policies, funding sources, and real estate leasing and development.
• Principles and practices of public administration, organization, management analysis, fiscal management, grant management, and program development.
• Principles and practices of effective supervision and training.
• State and national laws and policies regarding emergency management.

Ability to:

• Select, supervise, train, evaluate, motivate, counsel, and discipline subordinate staff.
• Effectively plan, organize, implement, and evaluate emergency management and homeland security programs.
• Ensure VTA complies with federal, state, and local agencies.
• Analyze data pertaining to department functions, interpret management information, maintain records and reports, and develop short and long‑term budget plans.
• Define problem areas, evaluate, recommend, and implement solutions to complex issues and problems.
• Oversee and evaluate emergency management programs.
• Analyze situations, identify problems, recommend solutions, and evaluate the outcome.
• Monitor developments and legislation related to assigned area of responsibility; evaluate the impact on VTA’s operations and recommend and implement policy and procedure improvements.
• Actively participate in various professional groups, boards, and committees; effectively advocate for VTA’s interests.
• Coordinate with executives in other divisions in the preparation and submission of reports and other documents to regulatory agencies and different audiences.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Effectively represent VTA in dealings with government agencies and other entities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during work.
• Develop and implement change through new and innovative processes and technology.

• 4‑year degree in Emergency Management, Public Safety, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field, and five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience overseeing programs or projects related to emergency management, public safety continuity of operations, disaster mitigation, preparedness response, and recovery coordination.
• Valid California driver’s license.
• Preferred: Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Certification, Hazardous Materials Technician Certification. Master’s degree or relevant certifications such as Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), Business Continuity, Associate in Risk Management (ARM), or Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Must obtain FEMA IC 100, 200, 700, and 800 certifications within six months of appointment.

VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.